The Morning Star publishes a sane letter on Israel…but
For once, the letters page of the Stalinist daily the Morning Star, carries a letter about Israel that is not
a) hysterical
b) completely insane
c) simply antisemitic.
Here it is:
Roger Fletcher’s review of Michael Riordon’s new book equates holocaust denial with a failure to speak out against the “fascistic policy and actions of the Israeli state.”
Calling Israel fascist is lazy but also very dangerous. Fascism destroyed independent labour movements and supressed socialist groups.
Israel has free trade unions, a peace movement and a free press. There are organisations such as Gush Shalom that reach out across the divide.
Calling the Israeli government’s actions fascist and equating them with the holocaust belittles the murder of millions of Jewish people.
The Israeli government’s attitude and policy towards Palestine and Palestinans is a crime, but hysterical demonisation of Israel will not help.
Israeli peace groups and the labour movement deserve our support, not boycotts.
David Kirk
Leeds
…but can anyone explain to me what the Star’s heading for the letter, “Confrontations need dignity” means? And what possible relevance it has to the contents of Comrade Kirk’s letter?
Jim Denham said,
June 19, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Israeli historian Benny Morris recently spoke at the LSE. Here’s a first-hand account of what went on, together with some remarkable pictures and video. Well worth checking out:
http://richardmillett.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/benny-morris-fends-of-allegations-of-racism-at-lse/